Crystal Palace would be taking a gamble handing former Chelsea boss Frank Lampard the managerial reins at Selhurst Park, Simon Jordan has told talkSPORT (20 April, 12.30pm).
Even after three years in the dugout, it’s difficult to work out what sort of a manager Lampard is or, for that matter, how good he is.
Yes, the former England international led Derby County to the play-off final in his one and only season at Pride Park – seeing off Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United along the way – but Gary Rowett and Steve McClaren also secured top-six places in charge of the Rams.
If Lampard wasn’t a bonafide Chelsea legend, it’s hard to imagine him ever being a contender for the Stamford Bridge job following one season in the Championship.
And, while Lampard could point to Champions League qualification and an FA Cup final during his time in the Chelsea hot seat, it’s impossible to ignore how much better the Blues have looked since the proven, experienced Thomas Tuchel took over at Stamford Bridge in January.
So Jordan, the former Crystal Palace owner, believes his old club should be wary of handing the reins to Lampard when Roy Hodgson’s contract expires.
“Palace taking Lampard would be a risk because he’s an unproven commodity,” Jordan says, before adding the 42-year-old isn’t a viable contender for the suddenly vacant Tottenham Hotspur role either.
“No, I don’t think so. I think Frank has still to earn his right to manage a club of that level,” Jordan states.
Steve Cooper, of Swansea, Barnsley boss Valerien Ismael and the soon-to-be-available Paulo Fonseca have all been linked with the Crystal Palace job, alongside another Premier League legend in the shape of Patrick Vieira.
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